Galatians: Grace and the Law

Another Gospel?
Galatians 1:1-10

Paul writes the letter to the churches of Galatia on behalf of himself and his associates. His opening clearly contradicts the concept of a universal church. He also makes it clear that he was not selected by the other apostles like Matthias in Acts 1:16-26, nor by the church like the deacons (Acts 6:1-6). His selection was by Jesus Christ, and by God, the Father.

“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:1-5)

How many times have you heard grace defined as “God’s unmerited favor”? What Paul is saying is he wants them to experience God’s gifts and blessings and his peace in their lives. Christ paid for our sins so he could free us from this world and allow us to experience those things. We were rescued by his efforts, at Gods insistence, and all the glory and thanks go to him.

Several years ago, one of our friends had a cow get stuck in some quicksand. Denny came to my dad for help getting her out. Dad placed a rope around her and tied it to our 4-wheel drive pickup. He made us all get into the truck before pulling her out.

The cow was not at all appreciative of the work it took to save her life, repeatedly charging Dad and Denny. I was glad Dad made us get in the truck before he pulled her out. It took longer to let her loose than the rescue took. I couldn’t believe she was so angry over being rescued. Paul was amazed that the Galatians could be so unappreciative of what Christ had done for them.

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.“ (Galatians 1:6-9)

By accepting the teachings of others that they must keep these other standards, they have turned their backs on Christ and what he has done. As we progress through Galatians, it will become more clear what type of teaching Paul is referring to in this case. I Timothy 4:1-5 tells us that those who are teaching certain things have departed from the faith. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” They have actually bought into Satanic teachings.

Paul questioned the Colossians why they would allow themselves to be robbed of their rewards by those who taught that Christians ought not celebrate holidays or eat certain foods, claiming to have a higher calling or authority, or greater knowledge, when in fact, the things they were demanding only presented an illusion of spirituality, with no substance.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:16-23)

All these commands are about earthly things, and ultimately will be destroyed. They’ve already been destroyed in Christ, having been nailed to the cross. While they may impress people, our job is to please God, not people. If we are impressing people, we are not serving God. “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.“ (Galatians 1:10)

As Paul told the Galatians, if anyone comes teaching something else as required for salvation, we are to consider him as cursed by God, no matter who he is. An angel or even one of the apostles is still wrong if they demand such things. As Paul tells us in II Corinthians 11:12-15, Satan’s messengers appear as angels of light and pretend to be apostles of the truth. I John 4:1-8 instructs us to test whether the spirit behind these things is of God or not. False doctrine about Christ, focus on things of the world, rejection of God’s word, and lack of scriptural love all imply that the spirit behind the teaching is not of God, and we should avoid it.